Shoulder charge consternation

FANS could be excused for thinking the ARL Commission and its official broadcaster, Channel 9, are on different pages when it comes to the controversial shoulder charge.

While the commission has moved to virtually outlaw the practice, Channel 9 continues to endorse it in its promotion of the game.

The "big hits" package played before the finals matches last weekend featured an absolute bonanza of shoulder charges.

While undeniably entertaining, the message seemed to be that Channel 9 was laughing in the face of the NRL.

So serious does the commission now regard a shoulder charge that contacts the head of an opponent, the offence is sent directly to the judiciary without a charge being referred.

It's the same referral as with biting and eye-gouging incidents.

Recently the commission made contact with rugby league authorities in New Zealand and England for a united front on the shoulder charge issue, with the most likely outcome a total ban by the start of next season.

Yet while those running the game endeavour to stamp out what has evolved into a sickening defensive weapon, the official broadcaster paddles its own canoe.

It will be interesting to see if the same "big hits" package is played prior to the finals this weekend.

And while on the shoulder charge, supposedly the ARL Commission is now the custodian of our game - in charge of everything, lock stock and barrel. But seemingly that is not the case, if an incident in the Redcliffe-Tweed Heads Queensland Cup major semi-final qualifier is a yardstick.

An errant shoulder charge by prop Ryan James, which left Redcliffe skipper Chris Farrell with a fractured jaw in three places, did not even warrant a penalty. So the Dolphins, without their captain after just four minutes, did not even score a free interchange.

To their credit, the QRL has since thrown the book at James and he is likely to be sidelined for at least a month. Farrell, meanwhile, is likely to hang up his boots.

Coach of the Year

IT HAS long been my belief that the coach-of-the-year award should not be made until after the grand final, because the coach who wins the big one is the best. There is no greater achievement in the game.

But while Des Hasler, Geoff Toovey and Michael McGuire have excelled in 2012 in extenuating circumstances, I continue to marvel at how Craig Bellamy turns average players and rejects into winners.

And let us not forget that his big three - Slater, Smith and Cronk - came to him as wet-behind-the-ears kids. They are now among the best in the game.

Last weekend the Storm went into their final minus three late withdrawals - international forwards Jason Ryles and Sika Manu, as well as experienced winger Anthony Quinn. But their replacements never missed a beat.

For the sake of the development of the game in Victoria, the Storm should tie Bellamy to a lifetime contract. As a coach, he has the touch of a genius.

It's Cowboys time

NOW that the Broncos have been eliminated, no doubt Queenslanders without an allegiance to any other finals team will be supporting the Cowboys.

And all Broncos and Titans fans are likely to be in the North Queensland corner too.

Some may even say it's about time the Cowboys flew the flag. After all, they have been in the competition since 1995 and this is just their fourth appearance in the finals.

That statistic also makes the torrent of criticism aimed at the Broncos a little difficult to comprehend. I read a veiled criticism this week that the Broncos were experiencing their longest drought without a premiership - a mammoth six years.

If six years is a drought, where does that put a host of other NRL clubs?

The Sharks, for instance, are yet to win a premiership after 45 years, the Rabbitohs have not won since 1971, Parramatta since 1986, and the Warriors and the Gold Coast are also yet to break their ducks.

Not one single Broncos player, official or fan is happy with the capitulation of 2012, but it's a little early to be calling the undertaker.